Answering Kids Questions About God and the Bible
- Apr 14
- 6 min read
Updated: Jun 11
If you are a parent, you know that kids can ask some hard questions. It's neat to see their little minds working and processing. But, sometimes kids ask questions about the Bible and you can feel stumped. You search for words to answer. Not to worry! As always, questions make room for great conversations. The fact your kids ask questions means they are processing and thinking about God and his word. You'll want to start answering these questions now because they only increase in complexity as your kids get older. As a parent of teens, I can vouch for that.
If you are a little nervous about how to answer the questions or you are just trying to get a jump start, this article is for you. I especially write this for families in Fort Mill because our town has a lot of families, and we want to be a church that helps raise up the next generation and equips parents in the process. So we're providing helpful tips to support families and help them to disciple their kids.
Suggested responses to common questions
"Who made God?"
You probably can answer this if you know a little theology. The answer is that no one made God. By the way, I recommend the Westminster shorter catechism for questions like this. This has been around for hundreds of years and provides helpful answers as a child's level. For example, the answer in that catechism is: "No one. God is "eternal" and has no beginning or end." See! It provides a pretty simple answer. There is a longer version with Biblical references if you want something more robust for your own learning.
I'd also pause to say that has been an effort to create a newer catechism that some may find helpful. It's called the New City Catechism.
"Can God do anything?"
Usually kids want to know if God is stronger than their favorite superhero. They may also want to know if he's powerful enough to help them when they are afraid. It just depends. In either case, the answer is that there is no limit to God's power. He is all powerful.
The Bible does teach that God cannot sin or lie, but these get into deep theological discussions that are far too complicated for your child. For your own learning, you can look at Hebrews 6:18 and James 1:13 about this. You can do larger studies for yourself and even read some theological works but that's beyond the scope of this discussion.
"Does God hear my prayers?"
Kids want to know how God can hear all those prayers and if he's really listening to your child's prayers. The answer is clear from the Bible - Yes. God hears our prayers. But, that doesn't mean God does everything we ask. Sometimes we don't ask for the best things or God is doing another work that is deeper than our prayer.
So, tell your kids that God hears their prayers. You can also remind them that God is working for their good and show them Romans 8:28.
Here's something a teacher once taught my kids. God answers but sometimes he says, "yes," sometimes, "no," and sometimes "not yet." This is a hard thing to learn and even the most mature Christians have struggled. We cannot fathom all of God's ways. But, help your kids simply understand that truth: God loves them, hears them, and is working for their kid. They can talk to him anytime they want and he hears them.
"Where is heaven? Can we go visit?"
All spiritual things are difficult concepts. There is something about the realm and matters pertaining to God that are difficult. Heaven is one of those. Heaven is not a place you can visit. Because it is a world renewed and perfect. Because we are not perfect, we can't enter that world in this life. It's a world better than we can imagine and through Jesus we can see it one day, but not until we a resurrected with a new body that is perfect and eternal.
You don't need to say all of that. For your kids, I think it's best to help them understand that heaven is place we cannot see because it's God's world and we can only see that once we are made perfectly good by him. You may even talk about the fact that we can't go there yet, but one day, everyone who trusts in Jesus will be in a new heaven and earth. God remakes the world in a way that heals everything and takes away all that is bad about our world.
You may even tell your kids it's a place Christians go when they die. I know that depends on age but at some point there will be a moment to explain that in a way they can handle. I'm amazed at kids. They are so good at processing information.
Side note: sometimes we say "go to heaven" - this is true. However, the Bible more accurately talks about God making a new heaven and earth. We don't go to heaven, we enter into a renewed world that he creates. That part isn't for the kids but it might influence the way you phrase things.
"Why do people die?"
You can explain this simply by pointing to the Bible and telling them that it teaches that sin brings death. Life is in God and when we sin, we turn against God and become separated from that life. The only way to find life again is to turn to God. However, he also has to do a work that makes us new - which involves dying. When we die, we receive a new body that is no longer imperfect but perfect.
For your own benefit you may want to read Romans 6:23 and 1 Corinthians 15. These passages talk a lot about this, as well as other Bible verses.
Side note - it's usually best to just teach this to your kids when you are teaching them about Adam and Eve and the fall of humanity. You can point out that death became a reality. They will likely take it much better than if you wait until they have lost a grandparent or someone near to them. That allows them to process without the emotional burden.
"Why does God let bad things happen?"
Even the best theologians have wrestled with this. There has been a lot of ink spilled on the subject. You don't need to go deep on this one. Ultimately, God made a good world. When we sinned, it brought about the possibility of all the evil we see in our world. It was like a Pandora's box that got opened.
"Does God love me even when I do something wrong?"
Some traditions have not handled this question very well. The simple teaching is that God hates sin but not the sinner. There are deeper theological discussions here but not for your kids. At the end of the day, you and your kids need to know that God loves you. He wants you to know Him. He takes no pleasure in the death of the wicked (Ezekiel 33:11).
God's love is not conditional. God is love. God loves us in spite of our sin. You can tell your kids this. God loves us so much that he created a plan to rescue people from their sin. He did it before they ever were sorry for their sin. God loved first - without a condition based on our worth or goodness. (see Ephesians 2:1-8, Romans 5:8)
Resources to help you teach your kids about the Bible
There are a ton of great resources out there. Check out some of these to help.
The Jesus Storybook Bible by Sally Lloyd-Jones - This is a very popular option and tells the Bible stories in an easy to understand format.
The Biggest Story by Kevin DeYoung - This is a neat book that shows how the Bible stories fit into one bigger story of God's work.
Case for a Creator for Kids by Lee Strobel - This is less about the Bible and for kids 8-12. This book helps build a basis for God based on science. It's super helpful as kids are approaching middle school.
Your Questions Are Welcome Here Too
Sometimes your kids questions might spur questions of your own. Maybe you don't know the Bible very well but you want to teach your kids. Whatever your case, God isn't afraid of your questions. You should find a good local church and learn more about the Bible and answers to some of these questions.
If you're in the Fort Mill area and looking for that kind of community for yourself and your family, we'd love to have you come visit us at One Hope. Your kids' questions are welcome. So are yours.
Looking for a church in Fort Mill that takes faith seriously?
At One Hope Community Church, questions are welcome and kids are valued.
We'd love to meet your family.
